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How To Make Tan Lines (A Wedding Don't!) Disappear

Two Save the Date readers recently wrote in with the same issue: What can be done about tacky tan lines when you're due to put on a shoulder-baring bridesmaid or wedding gown?

Their Qs:

What can you do about tan lines? I'm wearing a halter dress and I'm afraid bathing suit strap lines will show. I always wear sunscreen, but still pick up color. - pinkiejen

I'm the maid-of-honor, and the bridesmaid dresses my sister picked out are strapless, and silly me didn't think about my tan lines when I laid out in these past few weeks. Any recommendations how I can get rid of them, other than a tanning booth? I was thinking maybe a self-tanner, but what if I turn out more orange on my shoulders than the rest of my body? Eek, help please! - xAmyy

Okay pinkiejen and xAmyy--this is admittedly a tough one. It's not easy to even out tan lines even when you have a long timeline for doing so, let alone when you have an important event like a wedding coming up soon. But if you're willing to endure a bit of tediousness, here's a technique I have found to work.

If you have at least a week until the wedding, buy yourself a gradual self tanner lotion, like Jergens Natural Glow. I find these gradual formulas--which darken over the course of several days instead of a couple hours--to be the most foolproof and natural looking, especially for self-tanner novices. If you have only a couple days, though, go for the fast-acting stuff. I really love Clarins tanners for their non-orangey, natural look.

Make sure your skin is clean and thoroughly exfoliated (use a loofah and a gritty body scrub--doing this daily can also help fade your unfortunate tan quicker). Don't apply body lotion after you shower, and wait at least half an hour to make sure your skin is really dry. Then use a clean foam eyeshadow applicator or brush to carefully paint tanner over your tan lines, staying on just the pale section. Let dry and check the color; you'll probably need to paint the tanner on a few times to get your light tan lines up to speed with the rest of your skin.

On the wedding day, mix a liquid bronzer with your body moisturizer and smooth over the area to help further blend tan lines away, then set with a dusting of powder bronzer. You can use more on any areas that still appear paler. Just be sure not to get any of this stuff on your dress!

And, of course, avoid worsening the tan lines between now and the wedding by sticking to the shade and wearing a cover-up on your shoulders in addition to slathering on plenty of sunscreen. If it's really scorching out, wear a tube top or dress instead of something with straps, just in case you pick up some color while out and about. If you're at the beach or pool, go for a bandeau bikini if possible.

How about the rest of you lovely readers--got any sneaky tricks for evening out tan lines (without resorting to frying yourself silly in the sun)? How many of you get tan lines even when you wear sunscreen?